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What our animals are doing this month

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Toadlet Time: A Summer Spectacle

July is a wonderful month to witness one of nature’s most fascinating transformations as common toad tadpoles complete their metamorphosis and emerge as tiny toadlets.

The journey begins in spring, when toads lay strings of eggs in ponds. These eggs typically hatch within two to four weeks, releasing tadpoles into the water. Over the following weeks, the tadpoles feed on algae and other plant matter, gradually growing and developing. It usually takes around 16 weeks for them to reach the stage where their legs begin to form, although this can vary depending on factors such as water temperature, food availability and the number of tadpoles sharing the pond.

As metamorphosis progresses, remarkable changes take place. The developing toadlets grow legs, absorb their tails and develop lungs, allowing them to breathe air and prepare for life on land. Once these changes are complete, they leave the safety of the pond and venture out into the surrounding habitat.

If you live near a breeding pond, you may have been lucky enough to witness a toadlet emergence in previous years. Hundreds, or even thousands, of tiny toads can leave the water over a short period, creating an unforgettable wildlife spectacle. Although they have left the pond behind, these young toads usually stay close to their birthplace throughout the summer and early autumn, spending their time feeding and growing before the winter months arrive.

Toadlet emergences are often most noticeable after periods of rainfall, when damp conditions make it easier and safer for them to travel. Keep an eye out at any time of day. You never know when you might spot these miniature amphibians beginning their life on land!

Travelling Toadlets Project:

You can also help us this summer by reporting your toadlet sightings. ‘Travelling Toadlets’ is a collaborative project funded by the Natural England Species Recovery Programme and aims to find out more about migrating common toads in the UK. This is in partnership with ARG UK, The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, University of Chester and Froglife.

Find out more and report your sightings here.

What our animals are doing this month

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Written by Ashlea Mawby, Communications Manager & Toads on Roads Coordinator

Grass Snakes and Their Secret Summer Nurseries

The grass snake is one of the UK’s most fascinating reptiles, and summer marks a particularly important time in its life cycle. Unlike the adder and smooth snake, our other native snake species, the grass snake is the only UK snake to lay eggs rather than give birth to live young.

Female grass snakes typically lay their eggs during June and July, searching for warm, damp places where the eggs can safely incubate. In the wild, this might include piles of rotting vegetation, manure heaps, or decaying leaf litter. These natural heat sources are vital because the warmth created by decomposition helps the eggs develop properly.

This is where our gardens and allotments can become incredibly important for wildlife. Compost heaps provide the perfect nursery conditions for grass snakes, offering both warmth and protection. If you are lucky enough to have a compost heap, it is worth keeping an eye out for signs of grass snakes using it during the summer months. You may spot an adult basking nearby or even discover hatchlings later in the season.

Because compost heaps are such valuable egg-laying sites,
it is important to minimise disturbance during the summer
© Josefine Stenudd

However, because compost heaps are such valuable egg-laying sites, it is important to minimise disturbance during the summer. Turning compost or moving vegetation piles between June and September could accidentally damage developing eggs. If possible, delay major compost maintenance until autumn, or carefully check for wildlife before disturbing the heap.

Grass snakes are the largest native snake in the UK and can grow to an impressive 1.5 metres in length. Despite their size, they are completely harmless to people. They are easily recognised by their distinctive yellow and black collar behind the head, along with their olive-green body and dark markings. Grass snakes are also excellent swimmers and are often found near ponds, wetlands, canals, and other freshwater habitats where they hunt amphibians such as frogs and toads.

By late summer, the eggs hatch and tiny juvenile snakes emerge. These young snakes are miniature versions of the adults, measuring only around 15cm long. Although small, they already have the same distinctive markings and collar pattern as fully grown grass snakes.

Grass snakes can be found throughout much of England and Wales, but their distribution becomes more limited further north. In Scotland, they are only found in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.

If you are fortunate enough to spot a grass snake, eggs, or any amphibian or reptile species this summer, please remember to record your sighting using Froglife’s free Dragon Finder app. Every record helps us better understand and protect these wonderful species.

#PawsAgainstPonds Campaign

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During April, we run our annual #PawsAgainstPonds campaign!

Britain is a nation of dog lovers, there are over 12 million in the UK and here at Froglife we love our furry friends, in fact many of our staff and volunteers are dog owners themselves. However, dogs swimming in ponds can have negative impacts on wildlife and we want to focus on reducing this and raising awareness of the issue.

Keeping dogs out of ponds used by amphibians for breeding is important for three reasons:

  • Dogs swimming and paddling in ponds can stir up sediment, blocking out valuable sunlight for aquatic plants and spawn/tadpole development.
  • Trampling spawn, tadpoles and froglets/toadlets
  • Spot-on flea treatments can have a devastating impact on aquatic ecosystems. If dogs go into ponds shortly after treatment, the powerful pesticides can kill the insect life within the pond. You can find further information on the British Veterinary Association’s webpage here. 

There can also be negative impacts on dogs including:

  • Illness and risk of death from blue-green algae. Please read the British Veterinary Association’s article on the subject (with advice on what you can do to prevent your dog from becoming ill) here
  • Injuries from hidden hazards below the water
  • Infections from existing cuts and injuries or ones sustained whilst in the water  

If you see a pond that is well planted and appears to be a designated wildlife habitat, try to keep your dogs away or even better, on a lead, particularly in spring when amphibians will be breeding and in the summer when young amphibians will be leaving their ponds for terrestrial habitats.

Ziggy being a very good girl!

What alternatives are there?

We still want dogs to enjoy water, but we want to keep wildlife as well as the dogs themselves safe when doing so. There are some brilliant alternatives to swimming in wild water including:

  • ‘Dog swim days’ You can check outdoor pools in your area to see if they provide this service. There are some great suggestions here. 
  • Head for the beach! Remember to check if dogs are allowed on your chosen beach before travelling
  • Sourcing an old paddling pool or sandpit and making a doggy pool in the comfort of your own garden
  • Play with sprinklers- hook one up to your hosepipe and watch your dog enjoy it- you could even join in with them! (be aware of local hosepipe bans in the summer months before doing this)
  • Give them an outdoor bath- if you’ve been on a walk and your doggo is a bit dusty/dirty you can bathe them in the garden. Make it fun by adding their favourite toys and don’t forget a nice treat for afterwards

 What you can do to help the #PawsAgainstPonds campaign:

  • When walking your dog near wild water, please keep them on a lead
  • Use alternatives to swimming in wild water (mentioned above)
  • When building a wildlife pond, consider creating natural fencing (hedges, willow fencing) to prevent your dog from taking a swim. More info here
  • Spread the word! Please share our social media posts and tell your family and friends about the campaign

Further reading:

Here are some useful articles on dogs in ponds

 

What our animals are doing this month…

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Basking in the Sun: Summer Adventures of the Grass Snake

While many animals retreat to shaded havens during the heat of the August sun, one elusive reptile takes full advantage of the warmth, the grass snake.

These shy yet captivating creatures are often seen basking on sun-drenched rocks, riverbanks, or compost heaps. As cold-blooded reptiles, grass snakes rely entirely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. Basking helps them warm up enough to move, hunt, and digest food. But even sun lovers have their limits. When the temperature rises too high, grass snakes will slither off into hedgerows or even plunge into nearby rivers and ponds to cool down. Believe it or not, they are excellent swimmers!

A Summer of Survival and Courtship

Summer is not just about sunbathing for grass snakes, it’s a season of vital importance for reproduction. During the warmer months, males are on the move, searching for females to perform their subtle and fascinating courtship rituals. Once mating is successful, females must then find the perfect spot to lay their eggs.

Between June and July, female grass snakes often choose warm, damp environments such as compost heaps or rotting vegetation to deposit their eggs. These natural incubators provide the steady warmth and humidity needed for the eggs to develop safely. By August, some of these eggs may have already hatched, meaning that lucky observers might spot tiny juveniles navigating their first summer in the wild.

What’s on the Menu?

Grass snakes are skilled hunters with a diet that mainly consists of amphibians: frogs, toads, and newts are particular favourites. They also consume small fish and, from time to time, may snack on small mammals. Their excellent swimming abilities give them an advantage when hunting in aquatic environments, allowing them to glide effortlessly through ponds and streams in search of prey.

A Slithery Fun Fact

Here’s something you might not know: grass snakes are the only snake species in the UK that lays eggs. Other British snakes, like the adder and smooth snake, give birth to live young. This unique trait makes the grass snake a fascinating species to watch, especially during the summer breeding season.

Have You Spotted One?

If you’re out enjoying nature this summer, keep an eye out for grass snakes basking in the sun or gliding through the water. And don’t forget, if you spot any reptiles, amphibians, or even their eggs, make sure to record your sightings on our FREE Dragon Finder App.

Your observations help us track populations and protect the habitats of these wonderful wild creatures.

What our animals are doing this month

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Written by Anastasia Hinchcliffe, Coalface to Wildspace Yorkshire Trainee

Although we now turn from an unseasonably dry spring towards the summer months, plenty is still going on for our amphibians. This month, our focus is on the common toad.

With their mating season generally coming to a close in early spring, adult toads will now be back to spending less time in water, instead favouring dark and damp spots in which to shelter and feed. You may have been lucky enough to see their tadpoles, which differ from those of the common frog in that they are darker (generally black in colour), appear slightly smaller and tend to move around in shoals. Earlier still, you may have seen toad spawn, which appears to be in ribbons rather than clumps and is often wrapped around pond foliage.

toads will now be back to spending less time in water, instead favouring dark and damp spots in which to shelter and feed.

Although their physical progression into adulthood is much the same, toadlets tend to leave the water slightly earlier than froglets and, although still tiny, may now be seen making their mass exodus across grassy banks and footpaths. Unfortunately, their small size makes them easy to step on, so take care to watch your step while out and about!

Preferred spots for toads for the rest of the year include collections of leaf litter, log piles and compost heaps. With toad numbers continually on the decline, making wildlife-friendly choices in gardens is especially important for them. While we have the sun, why not get out in the garden and create your own shady log or rock pile, or even a special Toad Abode? It’s also never too late in the season to dig that pond!

There’s tonnes of other ideas in our ‘Idea Zone’ so whilst the weather is good, get outside and make your green spaces more wildlife-friendly. 

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